“But then I feel guilty, because I know that some people have none of that. And I know that although they drive me crazy sometimes, my family would do anything for me.”
Emotion balled in my throat as I swallowed down the tears burning the backs of my eyes. “You’re very lucky to have so many people who love you, Bella. Don’t ever take that for granted.”
“I won’t.” She smiled, grabbed the varnish and started on my other hand.
While I sat there wondering if she knew just how lucky she was.
“Something smells good,” I said, joining Bella in the kitchen sometime later. I’d offered to make us something to eat, but she’d said she wanted to cook for us, so I indulged her.
She made everything so easy.
Too easy.
Just like her brother, I could feel myself falling a little bit more in love with her every minute we spent together.
“It’s one of my mama’s favorite recipes. Simple but delicious.” She put on her best Italian accent, laughing at herself.
“Well, it smells good.”
“I enjoy cooking. I find it calming.”
“And here I would have thought sixteen-year-old girls were into boys and makeup.”
She glanced over at me and quirked a brow. “Weren’t you listening to anything I said earlier about my brother and cousins.”
“It won’t be like that forever. Believe me, one day you’ll be a force they can’t control.”
“Damn right I will.”
“Although I’m surprised he hasn’t been blowing up your cell phone.”
“Actually, I told him to give us some space.”
“You did, huh?”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “I’d like nothing more than to see you and my brother get together, Cait. You’re good for him. And I think he could be good for you too. But I also happen to think you’re really cool. I meant what I said before… I’d like for us to be friends.”
I gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Can I help you do anything?”
“Refill our wine glasses?” A smirk touched her lips.
“Nice try, young lady. But I already let you have two glasses and I’m sure your brother will have something to say if I send you home drunk.”
“Fine, I’ll have soda. And I think I saw some parmigiana in there. Grate some of that please.”
“I can do that.” I got to work, topping up our glasses and locating a cheese grater.
“You know, for all my family’s faults, I’ll always treasure memories of big family meals.” She smiled wistfully. “Before she died, my nonna loved to cook for everyone. It was always chaos, too many people and not enough seats. But we made it work.”
“You’re very lucky, Bella.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t. You can’t be sad over something you never had, right?” I gave her a strained smile.
“You must have some nice memories of growing up?”
“Nothing worth mentioning.” My chest grew tight, and I hoped she would change the subject.
To my relief, she did.
“Okay, I think we’re done here.” Bella tossed the pasta one more time before serving it onto two plates.
“Aglio e Olio.”
“This looks great, Bella. Thank you.”
“Maybe next time, you can join us at my house for dinner. I know my parents would love to meet you.”
I shoved a mouthful of pasta into my mouth and murmured, “Mm-hmm, maybe.”
I couldn’t lie to her, but I could evade the truth.
We ate and talked, sticking to safer subjects like Bella’s school life, and then cleaned the dishes and headed back into the living room and got comfortable on the couch.
“Luis has been gone a while,” I checked the time. “What do you think he’s doing out there?”
“Probably sitting in the SUV listening to the radio.” Bella popped another truffle into her mouth. “Thank you for letting me come by today.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” I said. “I’ve enjoyed your company very much.”
“Even if you and my brother can’t figure things out, I’d like to be friends, Caitlin. If you want, I mean.”
Guilt snaked through me, coiling around my heart as I choked out, “Sure.”
I was a liar.
A liar and a coward.
But I didn’t know how to be anything else.
A heavy thud outside the window startled me and I placed the glass down. “Did you hear that?” I stood, moving closer to the window.
“It’s probably just Luis clearing the leaves again.” Bella grinned.
“Very true.” I pulled back the curtains and peered into the night.
“Anything?” Bella asked, and I shook my—
Thud.
My heart lurched into my throat as I let the curtain drop.
“It’s just Luis, I bet.” Bella made for the door.
“Wait,” I called, but it was too late. She yanked it open. “Luis, what the hell are you… oh, you’re not Luis.”
My blood turned to ice as I went to her. “Bella, what’s—” Fear slammed into me as my gaze landed on the guy standing on the porch. “W-what are—”
“You’re a very hard woman to track down, Caitlin.”
I stared at him, my heart crashing violently in my chest. This couldn’t be happening.
It couldn’t—
Bella.
Oh God, Arabella was here.
“Please,” my voice cracked as I gripped her shoulder to keep myself upright, fear threatening to bring me to my knees.
“Please don’t do this.”
Chapter 24
Matteo
“Anything?” Nicco asked as I tried Luis for the third time.
“Nothing, and neither of the girls are picking up either.”
When Bella hadn’t replied to my last four text messages, I’d eventually caved and called Luis. He wasn’t answering either.
“They’re probably busy.”
“Busy doing what? They’re stranded in a fucking cabin, Nicco.” My leg bounced as I watched the scenery roll by.
The cabin was secure. No one except for a handful of people knew the way in or out. Nicco was right—there was probably a perfectly reasonable explanation.
So why couldn’t I shake the feeling something was wrong?
“You need to rela—”
“Don’t tell me to relax,” I snapped. “That’s my sister and—” Whatever the hell Caitlin was to me.
“We’re almost there,” he said.
“If anything has happened to them…”
I couldn’t go there.
There had to be a logical explanation, there had to be.
The blare of my cell phone cut through the tension.
“Anything?” Enzo asked, the second I hit answer.
“Nothing yet, we’re almost there,” I said. “Have you got eyes on DiMarco?”
“Yeah, he’s been at the club all day.”
“He doesn’t leave, understand?” Nicco’s voice was deadly calm, a complete contrast to the chaos raging inside me.